Mechanical razor



March 27, 1945. J SONNE 2,372,401

MECHANICAL RAZOR Filed Feb. 7, 1944 MQ/QQ.

ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 27, 1945 y UNITED i STATES PA'I'ENTl OFFICE I 2,372,401 v v MECHANICAL RAZOR John Sonne, Cleveland, Ohio 4Application February 7, 1944, Serial No. 521,312

I d(C1. :io-4s) l 11 claims.

The present; improvements relate to hair clippers or mechanical razors ofthe type characterized vby having two members, one movably mountx ed within the other, wherein the inner member is reciprocable, or reciprocable rand oscillatory, in

order to cause the cutting edges wherewith said adjusted or varied. Another object isv to provide means whereby such inner shell or cutting member will be held with its cuttinge'dges at all times in close contact with the complementary cutting edges of the outer shell or member. Still another object is -to provide cutting edges of an improved and more effective form than heretofore found in mechanical razors of the type in question.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully describedr and particularly pointed out in the claims. Y

"The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but oneA of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing: e

Fig. l is a side elevation of a device embodying my present improvements;

Fig. 2 is a vfront elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is partly a plan view and partly a sec-v tion taken on the plane indicated by the line 3-3 Figs. l and 2;

Fig. 4 is a central vertical section taken on the plane indicated by the line 4-4 Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section'of a portion of the device taken on a plane indicated by the line 5-5 Fig. 3; f

Fig. 6 is a sectional view more or less diagrammatic in character of the cutting elements; the plane of the section corresponding with that of Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is an end view showing a modification in construction;

Fig. 8 is a sectional View of such modification;

Fig. 9 is a broken perspectivel view of certain parts of such modication; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view, taken on the plane indicated by the line IIl--Ili Fig. '7, showing they form ofy the cutting elements in such modied construction.

the device Aare housed within a suitable casing I (shown in part only) which may be made of metal or plastic material and will be so shaped as to be conveniently grasped by the hand of the user. "The main driving element of the device'is a spindle 2 which is suitably journalled in a central longitudinally extending bore 3 in the housing. The means whereby spindle 2 is driven form no part of the present invention; thus such spindle may be the forward end of a flexible shaft or the spindle of an electric motor where the device is designed to be directly motor driven.

'The forward end of casing I is of attened form and is provided with an open outwardly facing recess 5 that intersects the rectangular slot l which' isv an extension of bore 3, and in which cer-v tain operative parts presently to be described are housed. Detachably ,fitted in recess 5 is the outer cutting member 'l which in this form of the device is a s hell of polygonal cross section, as best shown/in Figs. l and 4. Such outer shell is held in place in the recess by means of two set screws 8 and is provided in its rear wall with an opening 9 that communicates with the rectangular slot or chamber 6 in the casing. v

Reciprocably fitted within outer cutting member or shell 1 is a second cutting member IIl of similar cross section that is provided in its rear wall witha socket-like recess I I which,y when the parts are assembled, is disposed opposite' the opening 9 in such outer shell. Pivotally mounted in chamber 6 is a lever l2, the forward end I3 of which isy rounded to enter such recess Il in shell Ill, while its'rear end I4 is similarly rounded to enter a cam slot ina disk, I5 which" 'constitutes an extension of a drive shaft 2.

Lever I2 is formed', with an intermediate longitudinally extending slot 2liv andthe pivotal mounting for the lever comprises a pin v2| adjustably secured in the casing -I so as to be shiftable in such slot'and thus correspondinglylshift the pivotalk axisof the lever. yVarious means for thus shiftably mounting pin 2| may be provided. As shown,

one Aend of the pin is provided with a knurled head 22 Aand the other end is threaded in a nut 23, so thatby turning suchhead the pin may be readily loosened, moved to desired'positionwithin slot 20 inthe lever and then tightened so as to y stay in'such position. As a result of the con- Figs. 1 to 6, incl., the several operative parts of struction just described, it will be seen that4 by shifting the position of pin 2l the stroke or throw of `the outer end of lever I2 and thus the extent of the reciprooatory movement of the inner shell Il] may be varied within limits. e

To form the cutting elements in the outer shell shown in...their active position,n e. ,thepositionm l l they occupy whenthe-:actuating lever l2 occupies the angular position shown in Fig. 3. The effect of shifting. the pivotal axis of lever I2 will beE to cause the cutting elements 28 of inner member l0 to pass across the opposed-edges of elements l5 i 21 of the outer shell to a greater or lesserextent..

Accordingly, the openings left between'th'ecut? ting elements whereby the hair.ispermittedtc? enter the shells will 'be correspondingly varied.

As will be seen upon inspection of Fig.-' 6,'"th"e'f?fi" cuttingy edges fin. the caseL fof the outerv shell.. rares.- sharplyacute, .and in'xthe case-.offthe.opposed.k edgessoy the .inner-shell are-.obtuse'inacross seca`l tion..k As `a .result theV `openings between'.thefcutel ting l. elementsk area. ofoutwardlyvfacing lveshapa 25 andas the elements fareepassedsacross theskin l theflatter amayfbend-` into such .openings andf the, hairs caused toaprojectfbetweensuchcuttingyedges Withfla lminimumoi .irritation to :the skin.v

thermorel.- .byradjlustingrthe stroke of Athef inner Srl.J

cuttlngnnember lto.V varyffthe degree-` of =the open` ings presentedy between such ,cutting edges. thee width;olusuch` AVshaped- 'spaces and :the :distance between thef -cuttingfedges-When: separated :may f bec Corresp,ondingly-` varied. l to-faccommodate fthee 3E cuttingfaction: to.v the ,varyingstexture andelas-fl ticity l:ofwtheski-ni of differenti. person#v The@ principal.modication :presented: byu-the L second `for-xn .of-thedevica y lllustratedwin,Y Figsss '1,-

8 and 9,-consists-in' the change ,.-in theforrnof .thee 40` outer: andu inner; cutting members vzand ini thee meansvvfor l,actuating-1 such inner member.v Thus@ suchouter shell 304s ofv general cylindrical;forma:v andthe inner member 31 likewise .vhastheegeneralf form of a cylindrical shell .-.whichrisicapableaoff;in

oscillatorygas .well as. reciprocablemovement with'- innthe outereshelllz. To fimpartfsuch compound.A movementtof .the innerashellf ahlever 32 connects the :same .with the driveshait 2 :in muchlthe fsamee mannerasdn-:thenrst describediconstruction; exe. no

cept that disk 33f-which corresponds withdiskii 5,- receivesethe corresponding-z rounded yend `ofi `the lever in a socketed recessinstead of` ina-.cam slot,V Furthermorainiorder to permit the llever to have universalpvotal .movement about.its. .axis, vthe n.'

adjustable pin 34 carries-twol sleeves ,-35gandt36`; the innerropposedgiaces ofcwhich are .rounded so that .theY slotted .portion 'of .thelevernwhichclies.. between such; roundedsendsisrfree to berockedi in -alLplanesn The second such sleeve; assvshown-pfn,

inFig. 8, also servesas. .thenut by vmeans ot-whichi. thefpin is i secured. in; longitudinally adjusted p9 sition;. accordingly,- bysshifting thepin-z .thex am. plitudewof .movement -.of .the outer.) roundediendw recess in.` the rear Awall 4of, ,inner .shell .3 I, maybev correspondinglyrvaried.- s

A further lmodificationincorporated.in the Vsec-f ondgform .of .the l devicelinvolves 4the cutting ele ments which`,.asbesteshownzlinFigpI 4are pro: 7n f vidd-byidrming azig-zag or saw?toothlslcit 31 in.. theiorward wallof ,theoutersh'ell yandacomplee mentary.,contactingutterba'r 38.lin the inner shell;` As before the .l cuttinggedg'es of theele-.f

ably sharply acute and in the case of the opposed edges of the inner shell are obtuse in cross section as shown in Fig. 9. Accordingly, by adjusting the stroke of the inner member the same variation in skin contact may be obtained as described in connection with the lirst form of my device.

In order to ensure close fitting contact between the cutting elements of the two shells, the inner shell is provided (see Fig. 9) at its respective ends with arcuate resilient membersd struck up from the bodygeofthei shell and .disposedso as to press against the inner wall of the outer shell at points opposite to the slot 31 therein. As a result the complementary cutting bar 38 is at all times held inicloseeiitting contact with the cutting edges of such slot. It will be understood that similar or equivalent resilient means may, if desired, be incorporated infrtherst described form of my device in order to maintain'close tting contact betweenfthecutting members thereof.

It =.wil1 `be observed that :in: this second fornrof my device; l., duefv to-i the combined if recip-rocatory q and.oscillatoryfmovement of thefinner' shell; the cuttingsedgesmrovided therein Vwill partake ofy a circular. motion.7 lrelatively; to` the cutting edges providedtintthe, outer. shellx'. As a :result inasy much as suchfcutting edgesin` thevcase ofuboth members ,aredisposed. in,v zigezag relation,:thecut tingactiomwhen` theyfare brought` together ,.will be substantially; at right angles,.-i. et will'not yinvolve anylshearingfaction. Asbest shown, in Fig?, l0 theUtti'ngf-elements :onffthe :inner shell in-y eiect constitute azig-,zagrbar ior rib which. extends sion. gitudinallyof .theafor'ward Lface' ofitheshell, the-A -latter.beingf,cut awayffor .some f distance toeither side-,ofi` such bar.. In Figf '7 the latterr is shown aty the.1e nd ,of.;theupwardffstroke or the sinner fshell and at theend of itsfcscillatorymovement to :the

rights.:

other modes of applying theiprinoiple :of Jmyinventiony may bea employed ,instead ,of .thev lonefl explained, change beingrmade-.as Aregards ther mechanism herein.l disclosed, provided the vmeans stated 'bylany;Y of the following: claims or `the l equivalentof such stated meansfbevv employed.

I therefore 4,particularly point out and l distinctly claim asmy invention t.

1.` In a device of 'the character describedthe combination vof a shell having aseries of lon'- gitudinally.V spaced. cuttingl edges ,adapted :to- |be brought in contact with. therskinof .a person to permit hair to 4enter saidshell; ofJa member-reciprocably mounted within said shell and'having complementary7 cuttingA edges; and. actuatingr meansfo'r said'cutting member including.. a ro-A tary,driving.member and alever oscillatory/about an"axis`.intermedi`ate of its endsthe.latter.being respectively connected withv said members, and meansfor shifting. `the axis of said lever.

.25" Irra device of the 'character describedl the combination of a shell having a series of longitudinal'lyf spaced cutting edges adapted to. be brought contact'with the skin of 'a person to permit'hair to enter said :shellf of 'a secondshellvv mounted. .for both .reciprocable and Voscillatory movement withinsaid rst sh'elland havingcom- Aplementary cutting edges;.,and actuating means fortsai'd 'second shellfincludi'ng.afrotary driving member and a lever mounted for Auniversal pivotal movement about an axis intermediate otitsf ends,

thelatterbeingtrespeotively connected lwith, said.

member and shell;l

3f I'a devic'e'of the character described,` the 'combinationof a shell havinga seriesl of vlongitumems inthecaserof.the.outer...snel1"`areprefer. 'na-din'allx,T spaced cutting eds'es adapted to be brought in contact with the skin of a person to permit hair to enter said shell; of a second shell mounted for both reciprocable and oscillatory movement within said first shell and having complementary cutting edges; and actuating means for said second shell including a rotary driving member and a lever mounted' for universal pivotal movement about an axis intermediate of its ends, the latter being respectively connected With said member and shell, and means for shifting the axis of saidv lever.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of a shell having a series of longitudinally spaced cutting edges adapted to be brought in contact with the skin of a ,person to permit hair to enter said shell; of a second shell reciprocably mounted within said rst shell and having complementary cutting edges, such edges being in the form of an obtuse angle in cross section.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of `a shell having a series of longitudinally spaced cutting edges adapted to be brought in contact with the skin of a person` to permit hair to enter said shell; of a second shell reciprocably mounted within said rst shell and having complementary cutting edges, such edges in the case of said outer shell being shamply acute, and in the case of the opposed edges of said inner shell being obtuse in cross section.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a shell having a series of longitudinally spaced cutting edges disposed in zigzag relation and adapted to be brought in contact With the skin oi a person to permit hair to enter said shell; of a second shell reciprocably mounted within said iirst shell and having complementary cutting edges disposed in similar zig-zag relation.

'7. In a device of the character described, the combination of a shell having a series of longitudinally spaced cutting edges disposed in zig-zag relation and adapted to be brought in contact with the skin of a person to permit hair to enter said shell; of a second shell reciprocably mounted Within said first shell and having complementary cutting edges disposed in similar zig-zag relation, such edges in the case of said outer shell being sharply acute, and in the case of the opposed edges of said inner shell being obtuse in cross section. 1

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of a casing formed with an open recess having opposed side Walls, said casing fur- 'ther having a chamber communicating at one end with such recess; an outer shell removably secured in such recess, the exposed face of such shell having a series of longitudinally spaced cutting edges adapted to be brought` in contact with the skin of a person to permit hair to enter such shell; a member reciprocably mounted Within said shell and having complementary cutting edges; and actuating means for said cutting member including a rotary shaft entering such l chamber opposite such recess and a lever in such chamber oscillatorily about an axis intermediate of its ends, the latter 'being respectively connected with the end of said shaft and With said cutting member.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of a casing formed with an open recess having opposed side Walls, said casing further having a chamber communicating at one end With such recess; an outer shell removably secured in such recess, the exposed face of such shell having a series of longitudinally spaced cutting edges adapted to be brought in contact with the skin of a person to permit hair to enter such shell; a member reciprocably mounted Within said shell and having complementary cutting edges; and actuating means for said cutting member including a rotary shaft entering such chamber opposite such recess, a lever in such chamber having a longitudinal slot intermediate of its ends, the latter being respectively connected with said shaft and cutting member, and a pin adjustably secured to said casing and passing through such recess and such slot in said lever.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination of a casing formed with an open recess having opposed side walls, said casing further having a chamber communicating at one end with such recess; an outer shell removably secured in such recess, the exposed face of such shell having a series of longitudinally spaced cutting edges adapted to be brought in contact with the skin of a lperson to permit hair to enter such shell; a second shell mounted for both reciprocable and oscillatory movement within said first shell and having complementary cutting edges; and actuating means for said second shell including a rotary Ashaft entering such chamber opposite such recess, a lever mountedfor universal pivotal movement in such recess and having a longitudinal slot intermediate of its ends, the latter being respectively connected with said shaft and shell, and a pin adjustably secured to said casing and passing through such recess and such slot in said lever.

1l. In a device of the character described, the combination `of a casing formed with an open recess having opposed side walls, said casing further having a chamber communicating at, one end with such recess; an outer shell removably secured in such recess, the exposedface of such shell-having'aseries of longitudinally spaced cutting edges disposed in zig-zag relation and adapted to be brought in contact with the skin of a person to permit hair to enter such shell; a. second shell mounted for both reciprocab-le and oscillatory movement within said rst shell and having complementarycutting edges disposed in similar zig-zag relation; and actuating means for said second shell including a rotary shaft entering such chamber opposite such recess, a lever mounted for universal pivotal movement in such recess and having a longitudinal slot intermediate of its ends, the latter being respectively connected with said shaft and shell, and a pin adjustably secured to said casing and passing through such recess and such slot in said lever.

JOHN SONNE. 

